Paul Petrino had a wish list for his 2013 recruiting class – and he had a plan for finding the talent he needed as he heads into his first season as head coach of the University of Idaho Vandals.

First was finding some linebackers and running backs to fill voids and fuel competition. Next was smothering the Northwest and selectively searching the nation to find speed, size and players from winning programs. To that end, he landed six players from Washington, four from California, two from Idaho and two from Utah.

In stretching the borders, he relied on ties from his 30 years as a college coach to find players in Florida, Missouri, Michigan and Maryland.

“We got a lot of good kids from great programs,” Petrino said.

Mixed in are three players whose fathers played for the Vandals and another one whose brother just graduated. In the legacy class are quarterback Matt Linehan (Scott), defensive lineman Zach Cable (Tom) and running back Isaiah Saunders (Walter). And you can add receiver Trent Cowan, whose brother Bobby just graduated after a record-setting career as Idaho’s punter.

“It’s exciting to me to have three former Vandals’ sons here,” Petrino said. “That’s a great deal for us right now.”

From Idaho, Petrino and Company found two lineman who are sure to make their presences known. Nick Edenfield (6-4, 280) comes from Nampa’s Columbia High School, while Brett Thompson (6-5, 318) is from Rupert’s Minico High.

His and his staff’s forays into Florida were to find the speed that can make a difference. He believes he has it in speedsters Jordan Grabski (defensive back), Richard Montgomery (running back) and Jacob Sannon (receiver).

“To get three kids out of Florida was huge,” Petrino said. “We’ll always try to find a couple kids there every year. We’ll be looking for playmakers.”

Out of Utah are safety DesmondBanks (Cottonwood, Salt Lake City) and Tueni Luepamanu (Herriman High), who was signed for his athleticism and size.

Rounding out the list of high schoolers are cornerback Armond Hawkins from Rancho Cucamonga High and linebacker Tony Lashley, who comes from Kansas City’s Rockhurst High School.

Wednesday’s signees come primarily from the high school ranks but Petrino believes he found difference-makers in junior college transfers Dezmon Epps (returner/receiver from City College of San Francisco), Joshua McCain (quarterback from DeAnza College) and Anthony Rice (defensive line from Hartnell College).

The Vandals signed eight players during the junior college signing period from mid-December until early-January.